Smart Solutions

Smart Technologies

We focus on the development of advanced technologies with tailored properties to meet specific application needs. Our research integrates chemistry, physics, and engineering to design stratigies meant for custom needs, enhance performance, and enable new technologies.

Applications include stretch sensors, Nâ‚‚O emission controllers, alternative fuels, deep tissue imaging sensors and manymore. Our team uses cutting-edge techniques and tools to push the boundaries of material science.

Three-Layer Coated Urea for Nâ‚‚O Emission Reduction

🔬 Research Problem
  • Nitrous oxide (Nâ‚‚O) emissions pose a serious environmental threat, contributing to greenhouse gas accumulation.
  • The primary source of Nâ‚‚O emissions is agricultural activity, especially the widespread use of urea-based fertilizers.
  • A solution was needed to reduce Nâ‚‚O emissions by at least 30% without compromising soil fertility or crop yield.
✅ Proposed Solution
  • Developed a three-layer coating system for urea granules to mitigate Nâ‚‚O release:
    • First coating: Slowed down urea dissolution by 3×, reducing immediate Nâ‚‚O formation
    • Second coating: Chemically converted released Nâ‚‚O into nitrates, minimizing gaseous loss
    • Third coating: Incorporated denitrifying bacteria to biologically suppress Nâ‚‚O emissions
  • Achieved a 37% reduction in Nâ‚‚O emissions compared to uncoated urea.
  • Designed an automated monitoring system to simultaneously track emissions from five sample types:
    • Soil without urea
    • Uncoated urea
    • Urea with first coating
    • Urea with two coatings
    • Urea with all three coatings
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coated-urea Article Page

Stretchable Polymer Fibers for Neural-Mimetic Interfaces

🔬 Research Problem
  • Traditional silicon-based electronics struggle to perform reliably in dynamic biological environments due to their rigidity.
  • There is a growing need for soft, stretchable materials that can integrate with human motion for wearable and biocompatible technologies.
  • A key challenge was to develop a material that could mimic neural feedback, translating mechanical strain into meaningful electrical signals.
✅ Proposed Solution
  • Designed a stretchable polymer fiber capable of converting mechanical strain into electrical signals, emulating neural feedback.
  • Demonstrated dual functionality through two targeted applications:
    • A feedback-controlled oscillator for digital event detection
    • A wearable goniometer for analog strain sensing
  • Developed a proof-of-concept system where movement patterns from a healthy muscle were recorded and transmitted to an actuator on a weakened muscle, enabling targeted motor recovery.
  • This work lays the foundation for neural-mimetic interfaces that are scalable, adaptive, and seamlessly integrate with human motion, advancing assistive rehabilitation technologies.
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Stretch Sensor Article Page

Thermo-Catalytic Pyrolysis of Isobutylene-Isoprene Rubber for Liquid Fuel Recovery

🔬 Research Problem
  • Large quantities of used rubber materials, especially from vehicle tires and inner tubes, are discarded annually, posing serious environmental challenges.
  • Inner tube rubber, primarily composed of isobutylene-isoprene, is particularly hazardous and difficult to manage.
  • Conventional disposal methods are insufficient, and sustainable alternatives are urgently needed to reduce dependency on natural resources.
✅ Proposed Solution
  • Thermo-catalytic pyrolysis was employed to convert isobutylene-isoprene rubber into liquid fuel.
  • Optimization of key parameters—temperature (350 °C), catalyst weight (1.5 g of SiOâ‚‚), and heating time (1 hour)—yielded maximum rubber conversion.
  • Physical and chemical analysis of the pyrolyzed products revealed:
    • 30% aliphatic hydrocarbons
    • 25% polar hydrocarbons
    • 40% aromatic hydrocarbons
  • Distillation data confirmed the oil composition resembles diesel, comprising aromatic and olefinic hydrocarbons.
  • This oil may serve as an alternative fuel, offering a sustainable route for rubber waste valorization.
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Rubber Pyrolysis Article Page